Bates County Soil and Water District Open House and Poster Contest

By SHARON KIESEL

The Bates County Soil and Water Conservation District held their annual Cooperative Appreciation Open House on Wednesday, March 18, 2010, at the USDA Building on West Nursery Street in Butler. The event highlighted the announcement of the Fourth Grade Conservation Poster Contest winners. This year’s Open House theme was “Ready For Spring.” Also, this is the 75th anniversary of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which began in 1935 as the Soil Conservation Service.

The winners of the county competition were: Tyson Bennett, 1st place, Butler School; Jozelynn West, 2nd place, Rich Hill School; Camryn East, 3rd place, Ballard School; Michael Scrivener, 4th place, Zion Lutheran School. Tyson’s first place entry will advance to the state level competition to be held in November at the Annual Training Conference at the TanTarA Resort at the Lake of the Ozarks.

“We’d like to thank the schools, teachers, and parents for allowing their children to be part of this activity,” said Joyce Rider-Diehl, District Manager for the Bates County Soil and Water District. “And, we thank all the students who submitted posters. You are the future of our Conservation Nation. Each and everyone of the posters showed a genuine interest in preserving our natural resources through good conservation practices.”